Temporary trade feeler? Bongo HHp for Big Al SSS, a couple of weeks

[adouglas]

Interesting…

I'm a firm believer in the power of the placebo effect, so first impressions are highly suspect.

I need to play it with the band to really tell anything useful. Also want to do some A/B with the Bongo.

Having only had the opportunity to noodle for half an hour, I'm in the "Well, now THAT'S different!" phase.

The range of tones is vast. BIG diffs between active and passive.

The birdseye neck is stunning. The roasted color is a bit different than I'd envisioned. The black sugar is less sparkly than I thought it'd be too.

Lovely bass!

 

[sloshep]

Time will tell A D. Have fun

 

[projectapollo]

The three buttons up is a signature sound for the Big Al. Be sure to try that. Lots of growl. On the passive, once I learned to start with the tone all the way down, then dial in some to taste, I got much better results. I was tending to overdo it on the tone setting.

 

[adouglas]

Thanks for the tips!

The real test will be running through the set list. I have to cop a bunch of different tones… old-school Motown, some Duck Dunn P-bass, on up to much more modern stuff.

That, plus the aesthetic, is really why I'm interested in the BA.

 

[bovinehost]

You'll notice I'm not trading away my Bongos for a fleet of Big Als.

But you'll also notice that I'm keeping the Big Al 5H and the SSS. Definitely a spice or two I didn't have in the old rack.

Good luck out there, AD!

 

[Aussie Mark]

The real test will be running through the set list. I have to cop a bunch of different tones… old-school Motown, some Duck Dunn P-bass, on up to much more modern stuff.

That, plus the aesthetic, is really why I'm interested in the BA.

Once you have it on your shoulder for a couple of hours who will realise that the ergonomics are superb as well - even better than the Bongo. And, no problem on the Motown or Duck Dunn lines - I've done a 3 set Motown + 70s disco gig with my Big Al, and it made the job ridiculously easy.

 

[adouglas]

First A/B, seriously time limited:

This is very different indeed. On the strap for the first time and I LOVE the small body.

 

[bassmonkeee]

First A/B, seriously time limited:

This is very different indeed. On the strap for the first time and I LOVE the small body.

Yeah, the body really is much smaller than I expected. Extremely comfortable on a strap.

With my Bongos, Big Al and Moody straps, a four hour gig is no problem.

 

[cellkirk74]

It is so quiet in here.

 

[adouglas]

It is so quiet in here.

Shhhhh. I'm bonding.

 

[rizzo9247]

The masses need to know!

 

[adouglas]

So far:

It will go places the Bongo won't go. Really liking it for the old Motown and R&B stuff.

The reverse also appears to be true, but I don't have a lot of A/B playing time. First impression is that the Bongo has this hugeness to it that I haven't found in the BA quite yet. Doesn't mean it's not there.

There are lots of midrangey sounds in the Big Al that I really need to hear in a band setting to get a handle on.

Really loving the ergonomics on a strap.

 

[Holdsg]

I'm thinkin' "you had me at hello"...

 

[drTStingray]

First impression is that the Bongo has this hugeness to it that I haven't found in the BA quite yet. Doesn't mean it's not there

He has a roasted Bongo for sale also...........just been drooling over it with my calculator out!

Seriously though - I will be v interested to hear your view on this bass when you've tried it in the band.

The roasted maple may contribute to a slightly different sound from what others have said (darker more mid range?)

 

[adouglas]

Band practice last night.

Wow.

Fat.

It definitely does what I was hoping it would. The band loves it.

I might need one of these.

 

[drTStingray]

Only might

How'd it compare to the Bongo?

 

[husky123]

Only might

How'd it compare to the Bongo?

+1

 

[Big Poppa]

dnt dnt dnt another one bites the dust

 

[bassmonkeee]

dnt dnt dnt another one bites the dust

No, I think that was a Stingray.

 

[MrMusashi]

now it is a big al

MrM